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TomFromStLouis
Jedi Trainee
Offline
The truth is that I am not really cut out for owning a historic vehicle. I lack mechanic aptitude and cannot make up for it with any history of growing up in a garage with my father/uncle/brother. And here's a fact: any historic vehicle takes more of this skill than modern 50,000 mile warranty and dealer serviced cars do. One can learn, and I have, a little, but it has become startlingly clear that diagnosing relatively simple issues will always take me hours to another's five minutes. I suspected this would be the case going in, but was completely seduced by the big Healey's lines and (once in the driver’s seat) fun factor. So I became a stereotypical business guy who deals with a mild midlife crisis in a perfectly irrational way.
I have now had my BJ8 going on six years, and the last one has been the hardest. A needed repair sidelined the car for months while other life issues intervened. We all know that can happen, but it does hurt. Back on the road, I got in three nice drives and the clutch goes out. On top of this, I can see some paint bubbles that means some fairly expensive body work is ahead. Frustration mounting, I find myself thinking about how a modern sports car would offer most of the Healey driving experience without these distractions. Hmmm. Heresy - I really do like my Healey - but maybe these practical advantages can outweigh the historic vehicle cool factor. Wouldn't hurt to see what is out there.
So I take a look at a BMW Z4, a truly great car. The Z8 is out of reach unfortunately. As a coherent visual design, the Z8 is near a TEN, the Z4 maybe a NINE point something. Porsche makes some nice choices too, although I’d need to be careful about going too far back into the catalog. Wife likes the idea of a MINI Cooper S, and I rode in one long enough to not disagree. Friend in the club speaks highly of his Nissan 360Z. The Mercedes choices do not grab me much; I recently drove an SL55 that reminded me completely of my E420 sedan. All in all though, there are modern cars that would offer top down joy and beauty.
After this thorough survey of the market, the tow truck arrives and my Healey soon sits atop its flat bed, like a full size trophy for Most Beautiful Car. None of these modern cars stir the soul like that Healey. Those amazing lines! From any angle this is the work of art I want to be a part of!
Darn you Gerry Coker! Darn you for designing one of the very few perfect TENs in automotive form, a truly timeless design built to last only ten years!
Darn you DMH! Darn you for building a balanced and thrilling driving experience with all British parts!
Sigh.
There is no choice here. I am stuck with an ultimate and will have to forego the compromise.
I have now had my BJ8 going on six years, and the last one has been the hardest. A needed repair sidelined the car for months while other life issues intervened. We all know that can happen, but it does hurt. Back on the road, I got in three nice drives and the clutch goes out. On top of this, I can see some paint bubbles that means some fairly expensive body work is ahead. Frustration mounting, I find myself thinking about how a modern sports car would offer most of the Healey driving experience without these distractions. Hmmm. Heresy - I really do like my Healey - but maybe these practical advantages can outweigh the historic vehicle cool factor. Wouldn't hurt to see what is out there.
So I take a look at a BMW Z4, a truly great car. The Z8 is out of reach unfortunately. As a coherent visual design, the Z8 is near a TEN, the Z4 maybe a NINE point something. Porsche makes some nice choices too, although I’d need to be careful about going too far back into the catalog. Wife likes the idea of a MINI Cooper S, and I rode in one long enough to not disagree. Friend in the club speaks highly of his Nissan 360Z. The Mercedes choices do not grab me much; I recently drove an SL55 that reminded me completely of my E420 sedan. All in all though, there are modern cars that would offer top down joy and beauty.
After this thorough survey of the market, the tow truck arrives and my Healey soon sits atop its flat bed, like a full size trophy for Most Beautiful Car. None of these modern cars stir the soul like that Healey. Those amazing lines! From any angle this is the work of art I want to be a part of!
Darn you Gerry Coker! Darn you for designing one of the very few perfect TENs in automotive form, a truly timeless design built to last only ten years!
Darn you DMH! Darn you for building a balanced and thrilling driving experience with all British parts!
Sigh.
There is no choice here. I am stuck with an ultimate and will have to forego the compromise.
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